Word game

ABSTRACT

A word game and method for playing a game are provided in which a playing area is formed with a predetermined array of letter boxes including at least one set of designated bonus score boxes. A matrix, consisting of a predetermined number of alphabet letters arrayed in a predetermined sequence, wherein each of the letters of the alphabet being assigned a predetermined score value, is used to form words on the play area with only one letter of each word in any letter box. The matrix includes a first group consisting of a predetermined number of letters from which letters are selected to form a first word in the play area. The remainder or unselected letters of this first group are then combined with succeeding letters in the matrix to form a second group of letters equal in number to the first group and from which letters are selected to form a second word extending from and including a letter of the first word. The game continues in this manner by forming additional groups of letters with each group being the remainder of the next prior group and successive letters in the matrix, and each forming an additional word on the play area. A letter from each newly formed word is connected to a previously formed word or words. The player determines the score of each word by adding the score values of the letters and the bonus score values of the word, and the word scores are added to give a total score at the end of the game.

United States Patent 11 1 111 3,877,703

Pierre Apr. 15, 1975 l l WORD GAME set of designated bonus score boxes.A matrix, consist- [76] Inventor: Donna L Pierre, [2B Rusedalg ing ofapredetermined number of alphabet letters ar- Ave. Bronx NY 10472 rayed1n a predetermmed sequence, whercm each of the letters of the alphabetbeing assigned a predeterl Filedi 1973 mined score value. is used toform words on the play area with only one letter of each word in anyletter [2.] Appl' N" 413,882 box, The matrix includes a first groupconsisting of a predetermined number of letters from which letters273/130 E; 3 283/] R are selected to form a first word in the play area.The Int. Cl. A63i' 9/06 remainder or unselected letters of this firstgroup are Field of Search 273/l53 130 [35 then combined with succeedingletters in the matrix to 283/1 R form a second group of letters equal innumber to the first group and from which letters are selected to form[56] References Cited a second word extending from and including aletter UNITED STATES PATENTS of the first word. The game continues inthis manner 1,555,125 9 1925 Lange 273 135 D by forming addition? groupsof will such group bemg the rcmalnder of the next pr1or group andFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS successive letters in the matrix, andeach forming an 747,5 8 /l 56 United ingd m 273/ 35 D additional word onthe play area. A letter from each 775,170 5/[957 United Kingdom 273/i35D newly formed ward is co -meclgd to a previougly formed word or words.The player determines the Primary Oechsle score of each word by addingthe score values of the 8 Firmcurti55 Morris & Saffmd letters and thebonus score values of the word, and the word scores are added to give atotal score at the end ABSTRACT of the game.

A word game and method for playing a game are provided in which aplaying area is formed with a predetermined array of letter boxesincluding at least one 16 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 14 E 6 O 5 sum): 33A O I RIVAL II u Q J a I Q N srum; 24 P 1 O: E 01' 55 F 9 R RIVALRY :15R G I PLAN as o 0 K v n O STRAP =40: n r s H A o a COOKS T L as, f. Y Au R Q QUITE 17 o 0 PL u YOU 6 CRAYON =19 N :9 a Q) E BADGE :l8

w o R E s vores E e v g 0 /1,5,5 ,2 T o l@ O LURK PILE 1a 22 JAIL is lHOLE 11 won so NSUHZL Ennvous eai :11. N M8 was T 1414a 11 o ALEPFJJY25g; f X X JMIIO I one 8 A E 2? ,RUBJB'HDX] GAZE 2g 1 WE OM59] MINT 12ig/g; ZXAmgAY WM NIBOZ l S z ssuvnnn, L Us 11 41-11110 1112! [K1 H42?!Film We: sa

a. 1 Trix/1 E s04 RESERVE LETTERS Azlou SCORE.

PATENTEDAPR I 5:915 3. 877. 703

sum 10f 2 Flg.

WORD GAME The present invention relates to word games, and in particularto a solitaire type word game in which letters selected from apredetermined matrix are used to form words on a play area.

Numerous word games have previously been proposed for play byindividuals or groups of people. Such games include, for example, thewell known Scrabble game and the newspaper games of Scramble and, ofcourse, crossword puzzles. However. crossword puzzles are usuallysomewhat difficult for the average individual to complete, while agamesuch as Scrabble requires two and preferably more people. The Scramblegame, on the other hand, is quite short and its object is simply to forma predetermined word from the scrambled letters of the word. Thus, suchgames have only one solution and are not particularly challenging.

In accordance with the present invention a word game is provided whichis adapted to be played as a solitaire game, but which can have avariety of solutions. More specifically, the game permits the player toform a variety of words on a play area in order to obtain a total endscore based upon letter score values and bonus score values. In formingwords from a particular array of letters the player can obtain highvalues of a variety of scores with the proper selection of the words. Asa result, the game is substantially more challenging than such games ascrossword puzzles and Scramble, wherein only a single solution isavailable, which solution, in the case of the crossword puzzle areextremely difficult, or in the case of Scramble, are exceedingly easy.In addition, the game is played by an individual, so that the need foradditional players as in Scrabble is avoided.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solitaire typeword game which is challenging to the player and which may have avariety of solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a word game for play by anindividual in which the player can form a variety of words to achieve amaximum score.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a word gamewhich is relatively simple to play and manufacture.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments thereof which are to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a word game board of the present invention,after the first word has been formed in the game;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrations of the game board in the game of FIG. Ishowing the successive formation of words on the game board inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial illustration of the game board shown in FIG. 1,showing the arrangement of words on the game board at the completion ofthe game;

FIG. 5 is a partial illustration, similar to FIG. I, of another wordgame board in accordance with the present invention showing the locationof the words on the game board at the completion of the game;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another game board for use with the game ofthe present invention; and

LII

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of letter blocks for use in anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIG. I thereof,word game 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention isseen wherein the game board or grid 14 having a plurality of boxesformed thereon by horizontal and vertical lines I6, 18 respectively, ina predetermined array. In accordance with the preferred embodiment ofthe invention the game board I4 is square and has an equal number ofboxes 20 formed along each side thereof.

Game 10 also includes a matrix 22 of alphabet letters arranged in apredetermined sequence. The matrix can include a plurality of eachalphabet letter in a predetermined distribution for use in formingletters on the game board as described hereinafter.

Each of the letters of the alphabet is assigned a point value inaccordance with a predetermined distribution. for example, asillustrated by the point value legend 24 on sheet 12. The values of therespective letters can be assigned in accordance with their relativefrequency of use in the formation of English words, or the values can beassigned in any other desired manner. In the illustrative embodiment ofthe invention the point values of the various letters, illustrated inthe legend 24, are as signed substantially in accordance with theirfrequency of use.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, game board 14 has a pluralityof sets of bonus score boxes formed or otherwise printed thereon. Eachof the sets of bonus score boxes have a distinctive formation, asillustrated in the upper legend 26 at the upper left hand corner of thesheet 12. The first set of bonus boxes or squares 28 represent a tripleletter score, whereby, as described hereinafter, when a word is formedin the game board 14 with a letter in one of the boxes of the set 28 thesum of the point values of the letters of that word is tripled forpurposes of calculating the final score in the game. Similarly, the set30 of bonus squares represents a double word score whereby the sum ofthe letter values of a word having a letter in one of the double wordscore boxes is doubled.

The other two bonus sets of boxes 32, 34 respectively represent tripleand double letter scores wherein a letter ofa word placed in one ofthese boxes has its value tripled or doubled in determining the pointscore awarded for the formation of a word.

The game of the present invention is intended for play as a solitairegame by one player using the game board I4 and matrix 22 of alphabetletters arranged in a predetermined array. Matrix 22, as seen in FIG. I,has a series of rows 36 of letters arranged in vertical columns. Eachrow of letters, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, has sevenletters therein arranged in a predetermined sequence. (It is noted thatany other number of letters in a row can be provided as desired, butseven letters has been found to be most practical in use.)

In the play of the game, the player must first make a word from thefirst seven letters in the first row or group of letters in matrix 22.Thus, in the game illustrated in FIG. 1, the player must make a wordfrom the letters It, a, s, u, d, e, or l. The player can use or selectany or all of the letters in this first group to make a first word onthe game board. For example, in the illustrated game, the player canmake the word shade" from this first group of letters in the matrix 22.Having determined that the word shade is the one the player desires tomake with this group of letters, he places the word on the game board bywriting the same in the boxes 20 of the board.

Preferably. the game board 14 is provided with a square of apredetermined configuration or having a predetermined indicia thereon,indicating that it is the start square. This square, in the preferredembodiment of the imention, is located at the exact center of the board,as illustrated in FIG. 1 at square 38. In placing the word formed fromthis first group of letters, the player must place one of the letters ofthe word in the center or start square. Preferably. the word is placedin a position so that one or more of its letters is located in one ofthe bonus squares so as to increase the point value awarded for theformation of the word. The words. however must he formed either in ahorizontal row or vertical column of the squares 20. In accordance withthe game, no word can be formed on a diagonal or irregular line orarrangement of rows.

After the word is formed, the player determines the point value oftheword and records the same. Thus, for example, with the word shade" thepoint value is determined by totaling the values of the various lettersas follows.

'l otal Word Score Since the letter e was placed in a triple word bonussquare. .is represented by the indicia on the game board representativeof the triple word bonus square shown in the legend 26, the total valueof the word is tripled. so that the formation of the word shade" in thisman our results in a total score of 33. which score can be recordedalong the margin of sheet 12 as seen in FIG. I.

It is noted that by the arrangement oflettcrs in matrix 22. the playeris not limited, as is usually the case in Scramble. to forming a certainword. Thus, for example, the player ofthe game in FIG. 1 could haveformed in lieu of the word shade," the words has," duel, had." lash,"etc. However, since the object of the game is to obtain a maximum finalscore, the player preferably forms a word which will give him an optimumscore. Thus, the word shade" was selected because it has a higher wordvalue and, more importantly, since it is large enough to permit theplayer to place one of its letters in an adjacent bonus score box.

In any case, after the first word is formed the player cancels from thematrix 22 the letters in the first group or row of letters which he usedto form the word, This leaves. in the illustrative embodiment of theinvention where the word shade" was formed, two letters: a, I, from thefirst group which are unused These letters are carried to the next rowof letters (i.e., the row having letters n, r, h, i, r. g, 1) and areavailable for use in form ing the next word. However the player, inaccordance with the present invention, must first form a new group ofletters. limited in number to the same number as the first group. Inthis embodiment of the invention, since the fir t group of letterscontained seven letters, the second group of letters using the extraletters u and I from the first group, are added only to the first fivelettill ters of the second row so as to form a second group of letterscontaining seven letters. Accordingly. the next group of letters fromwhich the player must form a word in the illustrative embodiment of theinvention are the letters 14. I, n, h. v, i, r. In FIG. 1, the formationof this group, and the cancellation of previously used letters areillustrated by slash marks through the letters used to form the wordshade" and by a bracket at the right of the letter r in the second rowto indicate the end of the second group formed. The letters It and Ishown in dotted lines at the left of the matrix are the letters whichhave been carried down from the first group,

The player then forms a second word from this sec ond group of letters,n, l, n, r, h, r', r in conjunction with one or more letters from theword which was previously formed. i.e.. the word shade. in accordancewith the present game, each word formed must he connected to one of thepreviously formed words by incorporating therein one of the letters of apreviously formed word. Thus, in the illustrative embodiment of theinvention. the player, with the letters available in this second groupof letters, can form with the originally formed word shade the wordrivaf' in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. All additional words, inaccordance with the game, must be connected in some manner to apreviously formed word and must extend in a vertical or horizontal row.

After formation of the second word in this manner the player calculateshis score by totaling the values of the letters used including theletters used from the previously formed word. Thus, for the word rival,the score is calculated as follows;

lotal Word Score In addition to the total word score, it is noted thatthe letter i was placed in a triple letter box 32, so the value of theletter i is tripled in the above summation. Thus. the total value of theword rival," as formed on the game board shown in FIG. 2, is l l. Theplayer. after totaling the score for the word, records the word forlater use in summing the total score achieved in the game Again. theplayer has attempted to select the word formed from the second groupwhich will give him a maximum score.

After formation of the second word, the player again eliminates from thegroup of letters in the second group with which he was working theletters which were used to form the last word. Thus, in the illustrativeembodiment, from the second group of letters the player elimi nates theletters I, v, i and r; leaving unused from that group the letters 11,11and h. These letters are then com bined with successive letters in thematrix in order to form yet another group of seven letters. Thus, theletters u, n, b are combined with the letters. g, r, o and a to form athird group of letters from which the next word must be formed. Thisnext word, as discussed above, must be formed in conjunction with one ormore letters of a previously formed word so that this next Word isconnected to a previously formed word. Thus, in the illustrativeembodiment of the invention, out of the group of letters u, n, e, g, I,u the player can form the word stung" in connection with one of thepreviously formed words "shade." This is illustrated in PK]. 3. Again.the selection of the word which is to be formed from the available groupof letters. and from the letters of previously formed words, isdetermined by the player in order to give him the maximum point valuefor the formation of the word. Thus. by selecting the formation of theword stung from the available group of letters the player can place aletterg in a triple word bonus square 28. as illustrated in FIG. 3.

After the word is formed and placed on the game board. for example. bywriting the letters in the appropriate squares. the total of the scorefor that word is calculated in the manner described above. Thus. it willbe seen that for the word stung." including the triple word bonus. thescore achieved for that word is 24 points and this score is recorded onthe sheet [2 as indicated in FIG 1.

The game continues in this manner by the player forming groups of wordsfrom the unused letters of a previously formed group and the nextsuccessive letters in the matrix. with each group containing sevenletters. i.e., the same number of letters used in the first group of thematrix. Each new word must be placed at right angles to one already onthe board, using one of the letters of a previously formed word. or byadding letters to a word. at either end thereof to form a new word. Forexample. in FIG. 4. wherein the game board 14 is illustrated with all ofthe words formed from the matrix 22 placed thereon. it can be seen thatthe word riv-al" has been expanded in a subsequent play to form the wordrivalry." thereby giving the player 18 points as illustrated in theright hand margin of the sheet 12. in addition to positioning the newlyformed words in this manner. a complete word can be placed parallel toan existing word. if all of the adjacent letters in the two words formwords of the English language.

It is contemplated that game of the present invention be played inaccordance with rules which limit the formation of words to words of theEnglish language which are not proper nouns. abbreviations. orcontractions. Moreover. once a word is written on the game board itcannot be moved. Another rule of the game is contemplated that anadditional bonus points will be awarded to the player when all sevenletters of a group are used to form one word.

ln order to assist the player in the game. in the event that aparticular group of letters formed during the course of the gamecontains no vowels or contains letters from which it is not possible toorm a word in com junction with previously formed words. the game If! isprovided with a plurality of reserve letters which are available foraddition to a group by the player. Thus. for example. as illustrated inHQ. l. in the game it) shown therein a series of reserve letters a. i.0. u are provided which a player may use. These letters. however. haveno point value and would not be included in determining the point valueof a word formed therewith. The letters may be used at any point in thegame. in addition to the seven letxert of a group available to theplayer. for formation of a word.

The use of reserve letters with no point value can be expanded toinclude a number of each of the most frequently used letters. It iscontemplated that the player can have a choice as to the number ofreserve letters which can be used. thus permitting the piayer to make iteasier or harder to play the game. In other words. the

player can reduce the number of reserve letters and thereby create ahandicap" or can increase the number of reserve letters and make thegame easier. i.e.. reduce the handicap. This can be understood by considering that an increase in the number of reserve letters can increasematerially the number of words which can be formed. The compensatingfactor is that the reserve letters have no point value so that the useof a large number of them will reduce the total score. However. a personnew at the game or with a desire to complete the game rapidly can selecta large number of reserve letters. recognizing that the total score willbe low.

In accordance with the game. once a letter or word is placed on a bonussquare it will remain at that bonus score each time it is added to orused. Thus. for example. in the illustrated game in FIGS. 1 and 4, theword rival" formed as the second word of the game has been expandedlater on in the game. at the sixth word formed. to be the word rivalry."by the addition of the letters r and y. Accordingly. in totaling thegame the letter i retains its triple letter value and the value of thetotal score for the new word rivalry is 18 points. cal culated asdescribed above.

it is contemplated that the game would be played by the player forming anew group of letters after each word has been formed. and continuing theword and letter group formation process in the manner described aboveuntil it is no longer possible to form a word from any of the lettersleft in the matrix. or until all of the letters in the matrix areutilized. In the event that letters remain at the end of the matrixwhich are not utilized in the formation of any words. and no furtherwords are possible to be formed with those remaining words. then it iscontemplated that. in accordance with the game. the value of thoseremaining letters will be deducted from the total score value at thecompletion of the game. That is. at the completion ofthe game. theplayer totals all of the score values for each of the words formed, toachieve a total score and from that total score deducts the value of anyletters remaining in the matrix.

The words formed by the letters provided in the ma trix 22 are notlimited to specific words. as is the case with the crossword or Scramblepuzzles. but rather are a function of the extent of the vocabulary ofthe player. Moreover. the word selected to be made from the letters in agroup is a function not only of the available let ters in the group butalso of the location of the bonus squares with respect to previouslyformed words. That is. the player selects the word to be formed from agroup of letters not only in accordance with the letters available butalso so that the word formed will have a maximum value by placement ofone of the letters in a bonus square. Thus. the optimum word would beone with one or more of its letters in a bonus square. For example. inthe game of FIG. I. the word fiber has two letters in triple word bonussquares so that the score value of that word is maximized.

As mentioned FIG. 4 illustrates the completed word game of FIG. 1,showing at the right each of the words formed in their respective scorevalues. and also showing the matrix 22 as it is used in forming therespective groups. The letters shown in dotted lines at the left of thematrix are the letters carried over from a previous group to the nextlower line of letters in the matrix.

he game of the present invention can be formed in a ntimber of variousconfigurations by varying the num her 01 squares 20 provided on the gameboard I4, by varying their their arrangement from a square form to otherforms, such as crosses, diamonds, and the like, and in particular byvarying the array and number of bonus squares on the game board. Thus,for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, two additional game boards havingdifferent arrays of bonus squares formed thereon are illustrated.

The game of FIG. 5 is shown with the game board filled in with all ofthe words formed from the matrix associated with that game. In thisconnection, the matrix 22 can be provided with any desired sequence ofletters in the array in any predetermined order. Thus, there are asubstantially infinite number of game variations which can be formedwith the game of the present invention. Moreover, with any one matrix avariety of different end solutions are available. Accordingly. a playermay play the same game several times, to determine which solution giveshim the highest score.

In one embodiment of the present invention the game may be provided in apad, for example, consisting of a plurality of sheets of paper eachhaving a different game printed thereon. The sheets may have the samegame board and different matrices. It also is contemplated that in lieuof such a pad of games, game boards may be provided in individual sheetsin the game, or

may for example be printed in a magazine or newspaper in the manner of aconventional crossword puzzle. In a newspaper a different game wouldappear each day, with the same or different game boards and differentmatrices.

In accordance with another embodiment of the pres ent invention the gamemay be provided as a parlor game with a hard backed game board having anarray of boxes formed thereon and, in one embodiment, with the bonussquares printed in a predetermined array on the game board. In thisembodiment of the invention, the letters could be provided as aplurality of blocks, adapted to fit within the confines of lettersquares printed on the board, such as for example, blocks of the typeillustrated in FIG. 7 wherein a letter block 40 bearing the letter A isshown. Each of the letter blocks could have printed thereon the pointvalue assigned to that letter. It is contemplated that in thisembodiment of the invention, the matrix 22 would be formed initially bythe playerby randomly selecting the letters 40 and placing them in anarray of rows of letters, in a manner similar to the array illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 4. The game would thence be played in the same manner asdescribed above with respect to the game of FIG. 1.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, for use as a parlorgame, the game board may be provided simply with a grid of souqes formedthereon with no bonus squares printed on the board. In this embodimentof the invention certain of the letter blocks 40 would be provided withindicia thereon indicating that that letter represents a bonus scoreblock. These bonus score letter blocks would be arranged in the matrixwith the other letter blocks in the manner described above and when usedto form a letter in accordance with the play of the game would representa bonus score for the letter or a word formed with the letter, dependingupon the bonus score designation printed thereon. This designation couldbe of the type of designation illustrated in the legend 26 in FIG. 1.Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the letter block could have atriangular designation indicating a double word score for a word formedwith the letter A shown therein.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effectedtherein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope orspirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A word game comprising a play area having a predetermined array ofletter boxes formed thereon, said boxes including a first designatedstarting box and at least one set of boxes designated as bonus boxes; afixed matrix consisting of a predetermined number and array of alphabetletters, arranged in a predetermined fixed sequence established prior tothe play of the game and exposed to view throughout the game, with eachof the letters of the alphabet being assigned a predetermined scorevalue; said predetermined fixed sequence being selected to provide apredetermined solution to the game having an optimum score value whereinsubstantially all of the letters of the matrix are used; said matrixcomprising a plurality of rows and columns of alphabet letters arrayedin said predetermined fixed sequence and including a first set of apredetermined number of letters in a fixed sequence from which lettersare selected to form a first word in said play area, with one letter ofsaid first word being placed in said starting box; said first set ofletters comprising the first row of said matrix; the unselected lettersin said first set being combined with immediately succeeding letters inthe fixed sequence of letters in said predetermined array of said fixedmatrix to form a second set of letters equal in number to said first setand from which letters are selected to form a second word extending fromand including a letter of said first word; said matrix containingsufficient letters in said predetermined array to form a plurality ofsuccessive letter sets of fixed sequences of letters whereby a playercan form a plurality of interconnected words on said playing area, withonly one letter in any box, to obtain a score by addition of the scorevalues of letters used and the bonus scores for letters being placed inbonus boxes.

2. The word game as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of unvaluedreserve letters available for addition to any of said sets by the playerfor formation of a word.

3. The word game as defined in claim 2 including four sets of bonusscore boxes located in predetermined arrays in said play area, the firstof said bonus score box sets representing triple word scores for anyword including a letter located in one of the boxes of said set, thesecond set representing double word scores, the third set representing atriple letter score for any letter of a word placed in one of the boxesof said third set and the fourth set representing a double letter score.

4. The game as defined in claim 3 wherein said matrix comprises aplurality of vertically aligned rows of letters arranged in apredetermined sequence, with each of said rows including seven letterstherein.

5. The game as defined in claim 4 wherein the uppermost row in saidmatrix defines said first set of letters and includes seven letters.

6. The game as defined in claim wherein said reserve letters compriseone letter of each of the vowels (1.0.110. u.

7. The game as defined in claim 6 including a plurality of independentletter matrices each including a plurality of independent lettermatrices each including a predetermined number of alphabet lettersdifferently arrayed in fixed predetermined sequences. whereby aplurality of different games may be played on said play area.

8. A solitaire word game comprising a fixed matrix of a plurality ofalphabet letters arrayed in a fixed prede termined sequence. establishedprior to the play of the game and exposed to view throughout the game.said alphabet letters each being assigned a predetermined score value.and a game board having a plurality of letter boxes formed thereon. saidletter boxes including a plurality of sets of bonus score boxes. atleast one of said sets representing a multiple of the score ofa letterplaced in a box of the set and another of said sets representing amultiple of the sum of the letter scores of a word formed on said gameboard and having a letter thereof in one of its boxes. said matrixcomprising a plurality of rows and columns of alphabet letters arrayedin said predetermined fixed sequence and having a plurality of sets ofletters arranged in a predetermined sequence with each set of lettershaving the same number of letters therein. at least some of the lettersin the first set in said matrix being used to form a first word on samegame board with only one letter placed in any letter box and the unusedletters in said first set being added to immediately succeeding lettersin the fixed sequence of letters in the fixed matrix to form a group ofletters equal in number to the letters of said first set and from whicha second word is formed on said game board extending from and includinga letter of said first word; said first set of letters comprising thefirst row of said matrix; the unused letters in said group being addedto immediately succeeding letters in the fixed sequence of letters insaid matrix to form another group of letters equal in number of theletters of said first set and from which a third word is formedextending from and including a letter of at least one of the previouslyformed words; the successive matrix letters in the fixed predeterminedsequence of letters in said matrix being used to form successive lettergroups in this manner from which group words are formed on said gameboard until no further words can be formed from the letters in thematrix. whereby a player of the game may calculate a total score by theaddition of the score of the values of letters used and the bonus scoresfor letters placed in bonus boxes.

9. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 8 wherein said game boardis square and said letter boxes are formed as a square grid on saidboard.

10. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 9 wherein said gridincludes a letter square located at the center of the game board. whichsquare is designated as the starting square on which at least one letterofsaid first word must be placed.

ll. The solitaire word game as defined in claim [0 including four setsof bonus score boxes located in predetermined arrays in said play area.the first of said bonus score box sets representing triple word scoresfor any word including a letter located in one of the boxes of said set.the second set representing double word scores, the third setrepresenting a triple letter score for any letter of a word placed inone of the boxes of said third set and the fourth set representing adouble letter score.

12. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 11 including a pluralityof unvalued reserve letters available for addition to any of said setsby the player for formation of a word.

13. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 12 wherein said reserveletters comprise one letter of each of the vowels. a, e, i. r). u

14. The solitaire word game as defined in claim ll wherein said matrixcomprises a plurality of vertically aligned rows of letters arranged ina predetermined sequence, each of said rows including seven letterstherein.

15. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 14 including a pluralityof independent letter matrices each including a predetermined number ofalphabet letters differently arrayed in fixed predetermined sequences,whereby a plurality of different games may be played on said play area.

16. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 8 wherein the score ofany letters remaining in said matrix after no further word can be formedfrom the letters in the last group of letters formed from said matrix isdeducted from said total score.

1. A word game comprising a play area having a predetermined array ofletter boxes formed thereon, said boxes including a first designatedstarting box and at least one set of boxes designated as bonus boxes; afixed matrix consisting of a predetermined number and array of alphabetletters, arranged in a predetermined fixed sequence established prior tothe play of the game and exposed to view throughout the game, with eachof the letters of the alphabet being assigned a predetermined scorevalue; said predetermined fixed sequence being selected to provide apredetermined solution to the game having an optimum score value whereinsubstantially all of the letters of the matrix are used; said matrixcomprising a plurality of rows and columns of alphabet letters arrayedin said predetermined fixed sequence and including a first set of apredetermined number of letters in a fixed sequence from which lettersare selected to form a first word in said play area, with one letter ofsaid first word being placed in said starting box; said first set ofletters comprising the first row of said matrix; the unselected lettersin said first set being combined with immediately succeeding letters inthe fixed sequence of letters in said predetErmined array of said fixedmatrix to form a second set of letters equal in number to said first setand from which letters are selected to form a second word extending fromand including a letter of said first word; said matrix containingsufficient letters in said predetermined array to form a plurality ofsuccessive letter sets of fixed sequences of letters whereby a playercan form a plurality of interconnected words on said playing area, withonly one letter in any box, to obtain a score by addition of the scorevalues of letters used and the bonus scores for letters being placed inbonus boxes.
 2. The word game as defined in claim 1 including aplurality of unvalued reserve letters available for addition to any ofsaid sets by the player for formation of a word.
 3. The word game asdefined in claim 2 including four sets of bonus score boxes located inpredetermined arrays in said play area, the first of said bonus scorebox sets representing triple word scores for any word including a letterlocated in one of the boxes of said set, the second set representingdouble word scores, the third set representing a triple letter score forany letter of a word placed in one of the boxes of said third set andthe fourth set representing a double letter score.
 4. The game asdefined in claim 3 wherein said matrix comprises a plurality ofvertically aligned rows of letters arranged in a predetermined sequence,with each of said rows including seven letters therein.
 5. The game asdefined in claim 4 wherein the uppermost row in said matrix defines saidfirst set of letters and includes seven letters.
 6. The game as definedin claim 5 wherein said reserve letters comprise one letter of each ofthe vowels a, e, i, o, u.
 7. The game as defined in claim 6 including aplurality of independent letter matrices each including a plurality ofindependent letter matrices each including a predetermined number ofalphabet letters differently arrayed in fixed predetermined sequences,whereby a plurality of different games may be played on said play area.8. A solitaire word game comprising a fixed matrix of a plurality ofalphabet letters arrayed in a fixed predetermined sequence, establishedprior to the play of the game and exposed to view throughout the game,said alphabet letters each being assigned a predetermined score value,and a game board having a plurality of letter boxes formed thereon, saidletter boxes including a plurality of sets of bonus score boxes, atleast one of said sets representing a multiple of the score of a letterplaced in a box of the set and another of said sets representing amultiple of the sum of the letter scores of a word formed on said gameboard and having a letter thereof in one of its boxes, said matrixcomprising a plurality of rows and columns of alphabet letters arrayedin said predetermined fixed sequence and having a plurality of sets ofletters arranged in a predetermined sequence with each set of lettershaving the same number of letters therein, at least some of the lettersin the first set in said matrix being used to form a first word on samegame board with only one letter placed in any letter box and the unusedletters in said first set being added to immediately succeeding lettersin the fixed sequence of letters in the fixed matrix to form a group ofletters equal in number to the letters of said first set and from whicha second word is formed on said game board extending from and includinga letter of said first word; said first set of letters comprising thefirst row of said matrix; the unused letters in said group being addedto immediately succeeding letters in the fixed sequence of letters insaid matrix to form another group of letters equal in number of theletters of said first set and from which a third word is formedextending from and including a letter of at least one of the previouslyformed words; the successive matrix letters in the fixed predeterminedsequence of letters in said matrix being used for foRm successive lettergroups in this manner from which group words are formed on said gameboard until no further words can be formed from the letters in thematrix, whereby a player of the game may calculate a total score by theaddition of the score of the values of letters used and the bonus scoresfor letters placed in bonus boxes.
 9. The solitaire word game as definedin claim 8 wherein said game board is square and said letter boxes areformed as a square grid on said board.
 10. The solitaire word game asdefined in claim 9 wherein said grid includes a letter square located atthe center of the game board, which square is designated as the startingsquare on which at least one letter of said first word must be placed.11. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 10 including four setsof bonus score boxes located in predetermined arrays in said play area,the first of said bonus score box sets representing triple word scoresfor any word including a letter located in one of the boxes of said set,the second set representing double word scores, the third setrepresenting a triple letter score for any letter of a word placed inone of the boxes of said third set and the fourth set representing adouble letter score.
 12. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 11including a plurality of unvalued reserve letters available for additionto any of said sets by the player for formation of a word.
 13. Thesolitaire word game as defined in claim 12 wherein said reserve letterscomprise one letter of each of the vowels, a, e, i, o, u.
 14. Thesolitaire word game as defined in claim 11 wherein said matrix comprisesa plurality of vertically aligned rows of letters arranged in apredetermined sequence, each of said rows including seven letterstherein.
 15. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 14 including aplurality of independent letter matrices each including a predeterminednumber of alphabet letters differently arrayed in fixed predeterminedsequences, whereby a plurality of different games may be played on saidplay area.
 16. The solitaire word game as defined in claim 8 wherein thescore of any letters remaining in said matrix after no further word canbe formed from the letters in the last group of letters formed from saidmatrix is deducted from said total score.